Fast Fashion

Repair is one way to reduce waste. For some people, repairing may be second nature, but for others, repairing or mending might be a new practice… Even if you decide you don’t want the thing anymore, repairing it before you sell, trade, or donate it increases the chances of it being used again.

I’m excited to finally announce what I’ve been working on. I have been creating Fold and Fray, an online shop selling gently-used modern and vintage apparel.

When I started writing about why donating clothes is not sustainable without introspection and change, I got asked “what do you suggest that I do with older clothes that I’ve had before I went zero waste?”

There are many aspects of our relationship to objects and consumerism that I believe are problematic; like the illusion that something external, like physical possessions, will bring lasting happiness.

We’re sold the message that when we get the right stuff, job, clothes, relationship, we'll be happy. If this were true and stuff held intrinsic happiness, we wouldn't need to keep buying, and producing. Because once you got the thing you’d have happiness forever, you wouldn't need more.

Did you know that in most stores every piece of clothing comes shipped to the store in a plastic bag? Each bag gets removed by staff and goes into the garbage, all before the item hits the sales floor. These bags are not usually recyclable.

Have you ever put something on from your own closet and felt like you were wearing someone else’s clothes? Or when something fits perfectly, but it just makes you feel a little off or uncomfortable, but you don’t really know why?